The Lone Star Sierra Club's Water for People and Environment Committee held its first monthly meeting virtually on January 13 and focused on the topic of pre-production plastic pollution. The program featured guest presenters Neil McQueen (Surfrider Foundation Coastal Bend Chapter) and Luke Metzger (Environment Texas), and primarily addressed the small plastic pieces called 'nurdles' that are the raw plastic material for making finished plastic products. Lots of nurdles can spill into the environment in transport and while in storage situations. The presentations were very informative and emphasized the extensive amount of plastic production facilities along the Texas coast, and the resulting problems of plastic nurdles polluting our coastal waterways. 

A recording of the January 13 meeting can be accessed at: Passcode Required - Zoom and entering passcode: +K5zJA2D

Or contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com to request access. 

The next Water for People and Environment Committee will take place virtually on Monday, February 10. Details at this link: SC Water for People & Environment Committee: Produced Water Issues, Mon, Feb 10, 2025, 6:30 PM | Meetup. One can also register for that event here: Meeting Registration - Zoom

The topic of the February meeting will be 'produced water', which is a byproduct of oil & gas drilling and fracking. What is produced water? | American Geosciences Institute

The purpose of the Water for People and Environment Committee:

These online public meetings are for all Texans interested in water issues, advocacy, organizing and networking.

Purpose: To enhance local and statewide water advocacy efforts and empower Texas residents to advocate for water in their communities.
- Active statewide collaborative network of water advocates
- Increased public awareness of water issues across the state
- Increased engagement in water advocacy among Texas residents
- Transformative policy impact

Oil well, Cotulla, TX. Photo copyright Al Braden.